Document 6471706

Desktop Central – Managing Windows Computers in WAN
Overview
ManageEngine Desktop Central is Web-Based windows desktop administration software that
helps administrators to effectively manage the desktops from a central point. It provides
Software Deployment, Patch Management, Service Pack Installation, Asset Management,
Remote Control, Configurations, System Tools, Active Directory Reports and User Logon
Reports.
Desktop Central supports managing Computers in a distributed setup like branch/remote
offices and for mobile users (eg. Sales Persons). The figure below depicts the Desktop
Central Architecture for managing computers in WAN. The details of the individual
components are given below:
ZOHO Corp..
Desktop Central – Managing Windows Computers in WAN
Advantages

Simple, fast, and an affordable solution for your desktop management needs.

Network-neutral desktop management.

No separate VPN infrastructure is required.

Secured communication between the Server and the Agent.

Centralized management of computers from a single console.
Server Component
Desktop Central Server has to be installed in your LAN (say, the head office) and has to be
configured as an EDGE device. This means that the designated port (default being 8020 and
is configurable) should be accessible through Internet. You need to adopt necessary security
standards to harden the OS where the Desktop Central Server is installed. Agents from all
the remote locations report to this Desktop Central Server.
The Server acts as a container to store the configuration details and, upon request, provide
the instructions to the agents. It is advised to keep the Desktop Central server always running
to carry out the day-to-day Desktop Management activities.
Agent Component
Desktop Central Agent is light-weight software that is installed in the client systems that are
being managed using Desktop Central. It acts as a worker to carry out the operations as
instructed by the Desktop Central Server.

Unobtrusive light-weight component.

Can either be installed manually or through the logon script in all the computers that
are being managed using Desktop Central. However, for computers in the local LAN,
the agents will be automatically installed.

Agent installation is one-time and subsequent upgrades will be automatically
performed.

Do not require any additional ports to be opened in the client computers.
ZOHO Corp..
Desktop Central – Managing Windows Computers in WAN

Will periodically connect to the Server to PULL the configurations available for them,
deploys them and updates the status back to the Server.

Supports secured mode of communication (SSL/HTTPS) with the Server.
Web Console

Provides a central control point for all the desktop management functions.

Can be accessed from anywhere: LAN, Remote Offices, and Home through
Internet/VPN.

No separate client installations are required.
Ports Used by Desktop Central
The Desktop Central server uses different ports to communicate with the agents to enable
them to complete tasks related to desktop management.
Ports to be Opened on the Agent:
To enable remote installation of the Agent, you should open these ports.
135 : Used to enable remote administration.
139 & 445 : Used to enable sharing of files and printers.
Ports to be Opened on the Server:
8020: Used for agent-server communication and to access the Web console
8383: Used for secured communication between the agent and the Desktop Central server
8443: Used to control computers remotely(secure mode)
8444: Used to share computers remotely
8031: Used to transfer files in a secure mode
8032: Used to transfer files
8027: Used to complete on-demand tasks like inventory scanning, patch scanning, remote
control, remote shutdown and moving agents from one remote office to another
ZOHO Corp..
Desktop Central – Managing Windows Computers in WAN
Ports to be Opened on the Distribution Server:
8021: Used for communication between the agents in Remote Offices and the Distribution
Server
8384: Used for secured communication between the agents in Remote Offices and the
Distribution Server
ZOHO Corp..